Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman told a Jewish mayoral forum on Tuesday (Sept. 29) that she is "not an expert" on the word "genocide," and used it because others did, USA Today reports.
Raman holds a double-digit lead over Mayor Karen Bass in a recent poll ahead of the November election, per USA Today. The forum at the Skirball Cultural Center focused on issues that matter to Jewish Angelenos, the Jewish Federation Los Angeles said. Ballots go out in days.
Moderator Alex Cohen pointed to a moment where Raman agreed that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. He asked her to define the term.
I'm not an expert on these issues, and so I have looked to experts on these issues
She continued: "international experts, Israeli experts — who have used that language, and that is what guided me in using that term in describing what's happening in Gaza." She said she condemned the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel "without reservation."
Then she pivoted. "My goal is to make sure Angelenos are safe," Raman said, noting the room holds "a great diversity of opinions about foreign policy issues."
Bass got the same question early in her session. "When I think of foreign affairs, especially conflicts, my focus is on how they impact the city of LA. And no, I don't," she said.
The Hasan Piker question drew laughter in the room. Raman appeared with the streamer before the June primary. The American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League have accused Piker of antisemitic comments and of supporting antisemitic ideas. Piker told USA Today he has nothing against Jewish people as a whole and should be able to criticize the Israeli government and military without being called antisemitic.
Raman said she answered his questions honestly. She pointed to a moment where she told him Israel has a right to exist. She said she "vehemently disagrees with some of" his statements, per her earlier ABC7 LA interview. She also said candidates must go where voters are, noting many young viewers skip TV news and many people get no mailers. She wished Kamala Harris had gone on Joe Rogan's podcast.
DSA came up too. Raman is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and its Los Angeles chapter endorsed her in September. USA Today says DSA has described Israel as committing genocide. Raman called the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement "a legitimate form of peaceful protest," which drew a quick, sharp sound of discontent from the crowd. "This issue is not part of my policy platform," she said.
Bass said she opposes divesting city funds from companies with ties to Israel. She also said she has been present "every time there has been active antisemitism," including asking LAPD to patrol places of worship during holidays.
Next up: ballots land in Los Angeles mailboxes, and both answers are now on the record.